![The Eldorado Express arriving at Sadong Port on Ulleung Island. [Photo: Reporter An Kyung-ho]](https://contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr/image/2026/04/CP-2023-0070/image-60e7d147-c90c-4dbf-a405-6c22df2b3822.jpeg)
The Eldorado Express is a 3,158-ton high-speed ferry with room for 970 passengers and up to 25 tons of cargo. It can hit a top speed of 51 knots (about 95 km/h) and completes the roughly 117-mile crossing between Pohang and Ulleung in about 2 hours and 50 minutes — a game changer for weekend getaways to the island.
Built with a wave-piercing catamaran hull, the vessel maintains stable, high-speed performance even in rough seas. That design, developed by Australian shipbuilder Incat, has proven its worth in challenging waters from the North Sea to the Mediterranean.
Onboard, Norwegian-made seats accommodate 970 passengers across three classes: 526 economy, 352 business, and 92 first-class seats. The ship’s amenities read like a traveler’s wish list: a Mori Coffee café, priority seating and restrooms for passengers with mobility needs, a dedicated pet area, a nursing room, and a medical room.
The service runs one round trip daily, departing Pohang at 9:50 a.m. and leaving Ulleung at 2:20 p.m. To celebrate the relaunch, Daejeo Ferry is offering partner discounts and promotions of up to 30% off business and first-class fares.
In March, Daejeo Ferry was recognized by the National Assembly with a “Top 100 Promising Challengers” certificate for pioneering an ultra-fast maritime transport network along the East Coast by introducing the Eldorado Express. {vi[numeric value]}) {vi[numeric value]})
